We offer support, information and advice to anyone affected by cancer. Whether you are a patient, family member, friend or carer the centres are here to offer specialist support and arrange for access to services specific to your needs.
By phone 0191 2024167 By email stsft.macmillansupport@nhs.net
The centre is located at South Tyneside Distirct Hospital, outpatients entrance. Open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm
By phone 0191 5410122 By email stsft.macmillansupport@nhs.net
The centre is located at Sunderland Royal Hospital, B Floor to the right of the main lifts, most easily accessed from the main entrance on Kayll Road. Open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm.
Find out how you can donate to the service here: https://www.stsft.nhs.uk/our-charity/donate-now
The service can be accessed:
By phone
Sunderland - 0191 5410122 or alternatively on 0191 5656256 Ext: 47657.
South Tyneside - 0191 2024167
There is an answering machine available when the office is unmanned. Messages left on the answer phone will be answered within 24 hours (or the next working day).
By email
stsft.macmillansupport@nhs.net
In person
Drop into the information centres at either site between the hours of 10am and 4pm. The Sunderland Centre is located on B floor via the main entrance to the hospital via Kayll Road The South Tyneside Centre is located in out-patients department in the main hospital building just along from Accident and Emergency
Volunteers play a vital role in the running of the service from listening and providing quality information to patients / carers and professionals to signposting to other services and support.
If you are interested in volunteering with us then please contact us on 0191 5410122 or 0191 2024167, alternatively you can e-mail the team at stsft.macmillansupport@nhs.net
Please contact us to discuss this if needed.
We help people with various worries; these are some examples of questions we have helped others answer:
Every experience of cancer is unique, but there are medical issues and emotions that many people share. Some people describe their experience of cancer as being like a journey. It is both a medical journey through treatment and an emotional journey through living with the uncertainties that cancer brings. When dealing with cancer you may have many questions, we hope to answer those questions and allay any fears you may have. We do this by providing emotional support, information and signposting you to other services.
The kind of questions we have been only too happy to help answer include:
Surviving cancer is all about living with the longer term emotional and physical effects of a cancer diagnosis. Relationship problems and financial difficulties are common effects of surviving cancer. Our service is here to help answer any questions people may have about the long term effects of surviving cancer.
Listed below are just some of questions we have answered for other cancer survivors.
Though no two experiences of grief are the same, there are some common experiences that many people will share. Our service can provide you with practical suggestions to help patients and their families get through this difficult time. We can help to answer any questions or concerns they have and provide information on how to plan for a funeral, probate, contacting insurance companies and assistance accessing practical and financial support if needed. We can also direct you to other services in your area that you may be able to access via your GP.
Some questions we might be able to help with:
Although your finances may not be the first thing on your mind after finding out you have cancer, there may well be changes to your lifestyle which could mean changes in you or your family's finances. Macmillan cancer support provides a range of information for patients and carers.
The government can offer various forms of financial help to patients and their carers.
Our support centres can arrange for patients to access specialist benefits advice and support as well as applications for Macmillan Grants.
We offer a range of Complementary Therapies carried out by trained therapists to help combat stress, and aid relaxation through the patient's cancer journey.
Many patients suffering from cancer make use of this service to help ease feelings of anxiety, reduce symptoms such as pain, nausea, constipation, insomnia and skin conditions. Call us to make an appointment.
Treatments offered are:
We can arrange referrals to specialist counselling services, contact us to arrange a referral.
We would encourage the use of only reputable websites when searching for information on the internet.Sometimes it can be daunting due to the volume of sites on the web and in order to try and help we have produce a list of recommended websites.Please click on the area you are interested in to get recommended websites related to that topic.
Macmillan Cancer Support if you would like any copies of the publications please contact the Macmillan cancer information and support service on 0191 5410122 or alternatively ring the free phone number 0800 808 00 00
Cancer Research UK provides patient information as well as latest news on cancer developments
NHS Cancer Screening information about the national cancer screening programme and what is involved in a screening
World Cancer Research Fund provides funding for research into all types of cancer as well as education programmes on healthy living
North of England Cancer Network is a comprehensive site offering local information about support groups as well as information on treatments and clinical trials for cancer
NHS Direct - use the search facility to look for information and articles on all types of cancer
CRUK teaching resources - resources and publications for teachers relating to cancer
Government information for carers - provides information about all the support carers are entitled to
Carers Trust - vast information resource for people carers and professionals working with carers. Forums, latest news and information about your rights and entitlements.
Carers UK - information and support for carers
Babble - forum and support for carers aged 18 and under
Rip Rap - contains information for those who have a parent who has cancer. Support to cope and stories from young people going through similar situations